Please welcome Glynna Kaye to my blog today. Its been cool getting to know Glynna over the past few months.
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up the Midwest USA in small farming and mining communities. Now I live in Arizona (where we had over 12 feet of snow this past winter—this state isn’t ALL about heat and cactus!). (Jenny here I learnt something as I didn't realize there were areas in Arizona where it snows)
2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
My first love was horses--so naturally books with horses in them were favorites (like Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, Marguerite Henry’s stories (Five O’Clock Charlie, Misty of Chincoteague, etc.), and Walter Farley's "The Black Stallion" series).
3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and write?
I read in multiple genres, both inspirational and non-inspirational---romance, mystery, mainstream, women’s fiction, and literary. Non-fiction as well, including books on the writing craft, Christian growth, biographies, and a bookcase full of American and British history. I'm currently loving writing small town inspirational romance for Steeple Hill Love Inspired. They’re set in the beautiful mountains of northern Arizona—a rugged, more-than-mile-high elevation surrounded by brilliant blue skies and towering ponderosa pines.
4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
Too many to name! But by the time I hit junior high (7th grade) I was enjoying the classics--Dickens, Austen, Bronte, and even Shakespeare! I imagine everything we read influences us to some extent.
5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I began writing short stories and poems in grade school. By the time I was in my late teens I’d started a book-length fiction set in the early 1800’s. I worked on it off and on for several years, but never came close to finishing it. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Premise? GMC? Pacing? Writing commercial fiction wasn’t included in my college writing courses. No internet classes or writer’s conferences were available back then. I didn’t know any real-life writers who could give me pointers.
6. How did you go about becoming an author?
I'm definitely NOT an overnight success story! When I finally discovered Romance Writers of America (RWA), I began to learn about the publishing industry, the craft of writing commercial fiction, and ventured into entering contests. I learned SO MUCH from years of contest feedback. In many ways it was like taking a customized course with personal tutors.
In 2005 I teamed up with 14 other unpublished contest finalists to share industry news, provide feedback or an occasional kick in the seat of the pants, and pray for each other. (Check out our www.seekerville.blogspot.com) By 2006 I’d won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ “Genesis” and RWA Faith, Hope & Love’s “Touched by Love” contests with a chick-lit flavored romantic suspense. But I still wasn’t certain I was in the “right” genre, so in 2008 I prayerfully wrote something totally different---a romance targeted for Steeple Hill. I entered it in the Golden Pen contest later that year, it finaled, won, and in January 2009 the finals judge (Melissa Endlich, Senior Editor at Steeple Hill) called to buy it. “Dreaming of Home” was fast-tracked to an October 2009 releases!
7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be? An artist -- maybe a watercolorist or jewelry maker or graphic designer. I also love history and visiting new places, so academic researcher would be high on my list of dream jobs, too.
8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
I enjoy photography, hiking, gardening, trying new recipes, and sewing for my home (I even made a quilt!).
9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?
I absolutely loved spending time in England, Scotland and Wales. It was like going home to a place I’d never been before—maybe because books by British writers, modern as well as classics, have always been favorites. Ireland, Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Canada are dream destinations as well. I grew up on National Geographic magazines, so have an interest in countries and cultures worldwide.
10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?
Edith Schaeffer , author of the non-fiction “What is a Family?” “Common Sense Christian Living,” “Christianity is Jewish,” “The Tapestry” and others. Her books (many of which are about the L’Bri Ministry she and her pastor husband Francis founded in Switzerland), are big on practical application and challenge me to think more deeply, more Biblically.
Joyce Meyer, Bible teacher. Her books, CDs and TV program are so very practical, very to the point, very Bible-based. She challenges me to grow spiritually and I always get a “take away” from her that I can’t squirm out of.
Sarah, Duchess of York. Just for the fun of it! J
Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.
My current book is a Steeple Hill Love Inspired, "Dreaming of Home,” set in the fictional community of Canyon Springs, Arizona. Because of all the demands of a first book coming out so quickly after its sale, I wasn’t able to finish a second in time to have one out this year. However, my next book (“Second Chance Courtship”) is a February 2011 release. And currently I’m having loads of fun with a third story set in Canyon Springs! You can find me at www.GlynnaKaye.com , www.seekerville.blogspot.com and www.loveinspiredauthors.com .
Glynna is going to give away an autographed copy of Dreaming of Home to one reader who leaves a comment. To enter please leave a way to contact you if you win if I dont alreadly know your addy. You have till Thursday 6pm Australian time the 15th to enter. Thanks Glynna for donating a book.
